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Welcome to ESU!

East Stroudsburg Normal School opened it doors on September 4, 1893. Today, ESU is a comprehensive university in northeastern Pennsylvania offering 58 undergraduate and 22 graduate degrees and is one of the 14 institutions in the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education.

Meet our Counselors

Freshmen Counselors

Sarah K. Lavra (slavra@esu.edu) (570) 422-3184 Senior Associate Director of AdmissionTerritories: (PA) Susquehanna, Wayne, WyomingHometown: Elizabeth, New JerseyStudied: Journalism & Mass Communications, concentration in Public RelationsFavorite thing about ESU: The students. I love their enthusiasm, excitement to learn (in and out of the classroom), and the diversity they bring to our campus.Quote: "There are only two days in the year that nothing can be done. One is called yesterday and the other is called tomorrow, so today is the right day to love, believe, do and mostly live". - Dalai Lama

Mary Amador (mamador@esu.edu)(570) 422-3856Assistant Director of Admission, BRM CoordinatorHometown: Bronx, New YorkStudied: MS Management & Leadership in Public AdministrationFavorite thing about ESU: At ESU you are able to become family with everyone on campus; not just your friends, but your professors and faculty, too.Favorite Quote: "Be yourself, everyone else is already taken."-Oscar Wilde

Agnieszka A Brannan (abrannan@esu.edu) (570) 422-3577 Assistant Director of Admission, Coordinator of PublicationsTerritories: (NJ) Bergen, Hunterdon, Warren, Sussex, Morris, Somerset, and BurlingtonHometown: Forest Hills, New York (originally from Poland)Studied: Political Science at ESUFavorite thing about ESU: I love the friendly atmosphere at ESU. As an alum, I am especially happy to observe the growth within our current students as they move through their ESU journey.

Jennifer Castro (jcastro@esu.edu) (570) 422-3922 Interim Sr Associate Director of Admission, Coordinator of Multicultural Recruitment/Campus ToursTerritories: (PA) Lehigh, Northampton, Berks, Montgomery, Bucks, ChesterHometown: Whitehall, PennsylvaniaStudied: BS Criminal Justice and M.Ed. Student Affairs Administration in Higher EdFavorite thing about ESU: The students are my favorite thing about ESU. As a recruiter and supervisor of student workers/graduate assistants, and advisor of a student organization, I am in constant communication with our students. Seeing our students achieve their academic goals is the best feeling and reminds me why I do what I do.Quote: “Set out each day believing in your dreams. Know without a doubt, that you were made for amazing things.” - Josh Hinds

Gianna Morris (gmorris4@esu.edu) (570) 422-3930 Admission CounselorTerritories: (NJ) Essex, Passaic, Mercer, Union, Middlesex, and MonmouthHometown: Queens, New YorkStudied: Business and Management at ESUFavorite thing about ESU: I love the pride of the Warrior spirit amongst the student body, the positive energy from the staff/faculty, and the warm atmosphere as you walk around the campus. It’s a home away from home. It’s a family!Quote: “In order to succeed, your desire for success should be greater than your fear of failure.” – Bill Cosby

Timothy Hahn (thahn2@esu.edu) (570) 422-3806 Admission CounselorTerritories: New York, (PA) Luzerne, Lackawanna, Lancaster, Dauphin, York, Delaware, and SchuylkillHometown: Pittston, Pennsylvania (Luzerne County)Studied: Elementary and Special Education with a Minor in Theatre at ESUStrengths: Public Speaking, PersonableFavorite Thing About ESU: The personality, energy, and passion of the students.Quotes: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible.” - Vic Aguirre; “Create your own destiny. If you don’t, someone else will.” - Chris LeberIf your county is not listed, or if your school will be hosting an event that you would like us to attend, please contact Sarah Lavra at slavra@esu.edu

Baron Vanderburg (BVanderburg@esu.edu)(570) 422-3493Admission CounselorTerritories: Burlington, Ocean, Hudson NJ and Westchester, Orange, and Rockland NYHometown: Hempstead, NY/Easton, PAStudied: B.A. in Public Admin from ESU, and M.A. in Higher Ed Student Affairs (In Progress) at Messiah CollegeFavorite Thing About ESU: ESU is a comfortably sized campus, in a great location between 2 major cities which provide a lot of great opportunities.Quote: "Do or do not do, there is no try" - Yoda

Transfer Counselors

Walt Lukow (wlukow@esu.edu) (570) 422-3110 Associate Director for Transfer Admission, Coordinator of Transfer Recruitment Admission contact for transfer students with last name initial of L-ZTerritories: County and Community CollegesHometown: Allentown, PennsylvaniaStudied: History, World Cultures, Secondary Education Certification

Nina Atanesian (ninaa@esu.edu (570) 422-3149 Assistant Director for Transfer Admission Admission contact for transfer students with last name initial of A-KTerritories: County and Community CollegesHometown: Stroudsburg, PennsylvaniaStudied: Business Management with Minor in Economics (at ESU!)Favorite thing about ESU: Everything! The aesthetics of the campus, and the energy of our students and faculty.Quote: "Believe you can and you’re halfway there” - Theodore Roosevelt

Please Note: If your community college will be hosting an event for transfer students that you would like us to attend, please contact Walt Lukow at wlukow@esu.edu